Noni Madueke could become the seventh player to join Arsenal from Chelsea since 2019
There is an unwritten rule in English football that local rivals should avoid doing business with one another whenever possible.
Only two senior players this century have crossed the north London divide: Sol Campbell to Arsenal in 2001 and William Gallas to Tottenham Hotspur in 2010. Carlo Cudicini was the last men’s player to move directly between Chelsea and Tottenham, swapping one bench for the other in 2009.
And yet, in recent years, like a billionaire with too much money and time on their hands, Arsenal have been unable to resist shopping in Chelsea.
The Gunners have bought or loaned six players from their London rivals over the past seven seasons (including ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 campaign), with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga the latest recruit.
Arsenal are interested in acquiring a seventh, ex-Spurs youngster Noni Madueke. Mathematicians among you will notice that Madueke would bring the average up to one signing per season over the past seven, should he opt to follow the now well-trodden path from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates.
Arsenal’s most recent signings from Chelsea
2019-20: David Luiz (£8m)
2020-21: Willian (free)
2021-22: N/A
2022-23: Jorginho (£12m)
2023-24: Kai Havertz (£65m)
2024-25: Raheem Sterling (loan)
2025-26: Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m)
According to reports, Arsenal have held talks with Madueke, who is open to joining last season’s Premier League runners-up. Presumably, his receptiveness is in part influenced by Chelsea splurging £145m on three new attackers with the transfer window still open for another two months.
If Arsenal and Chelsea agree on a fee and Madueke agrees to contract terms, it will continue one of the stranger quirks in English football. Clearly, the clubs are more tolerant of each other than either is of Tottenham, but rarely do two city clubs trade so frequently, particularly when the transactions tend to flow the same way.
Even more so when they are direct rivals, theoretically competing for the same big prizes. Chelsea’s relentless recruitment drive relies upon other clubs (and Fifa) helping them stay compliant with profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
If Arsenal buy Madueke for £50m, they will have spent over £130m on Chelsea players since BlueCo’s takeover three years ago. Every little helps keeps the PSR police at bay.
It’s also a strategy that hasn’t particularly paid off for Arsenal either.
Despite not incurring a transfer fee, Willian was an expensive disaster, two debut assists against Fulham, followed by little else. Raheem Sterling fared even worse, contributing zero goals and two assists in 19 Premier League games last season.
David Luiz was neither a major flop nor a major triumph. The Brazilian achieved an unusual hat-trick by scoring an own goal, getting sent off and committing an error leading to a goal in a defeat to Manchester City in 2020. However, weeks later, he marshalled the Gunners to their last trophy, the FA Cup against Chelsea, no less.
Jorginho fell into the same hinterland. He was a useful squad player, particularly in big games when additional calm was beneficial, and by all accounts a positive influence in a young dressing room. He also only started 28 league games in two-and-a-half seasons before leaving for Flamengo in June.
Kai Havertz has probably fared the best, which says plenty about the scattergun nature of the success Arsenal have gleamed from their ex-Chelsea contingent.
The 26-year-old has been occasionally brilliant, often infuriating and has flitted from being the answer to Arsenal’s attacking problems to a symptom of them.
The expected arrival of a new No 9 this summer puts his starting place in jeopardy; Havertz has been far more effective as a centre-forward than he has as a central midfielder, the role initially reserved for him. Where does he fit in next season?
Arsenal’s injury crisis this year highlights the need to add greater depth in attack this transfer window. Besides a striker and a winger, they also need a Martin Odegaard alternative in midfield. The Eberechi Eze links make a great deal of sense, given his versatility.
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The Madueke interest, less so. His best position is the one currently filled by Arsenal’s best player, Bukayo Saka, who is supported by their best attacking prospect, Ethan Nwaneri. Madueke has been far less effective for Chelsea on the left than on the right.
The 23 year old could be a useful addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad. He is a talented troublemaker in the final third, contributing seven goals and three assists in the Premier League last season. He has impressed with his directness and urgency in an England shirt since breaking into the squad last autumn.
Would he be the difference in Arsenal ascending from silver to gold? Based on the impact of the club’s previous Chelsea buys, perhaps not.